By Maria Clark
NOLA Media Group, New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS — As the first weekend of the Uptown parades kicks off, New Orleans’ first responders said in a press conference Friday they are more prepared than ever to respond to an emergency.
New Orleans Emergency Medical Services signed a 10-year contract with Michigan-based medical technology company Stryker Corporation to increase the number of lifesaving medical devices available to first responders in the city.
Through the partnership, the City of New Orleans deployed 84 new LUCAS devices to New Orleans EMS and 41 of those devices to the New Orleans Fire Department. A LUCAS device is a mechanical chest compression system that delivers automated and continuous chest compression.
EMS officials said this will allow every firetruck and ambulance in New Orleans to be equipped with the life-saving device.
All of the equipment is capable of transmitting data through WiFi, helping reduce any delays in treatment as the patient is taken to the hospital, officials said at the press conference.
New Orleans EMS chief Carl Flores said that the contract with Stryker will assure that the devices are under warranty, serviced throughout the duration of the contract and eligible for upgrades when available.
“This approval assures that pre-hospital emergency care is a priority for the City of New Orleans,” Flores said.
Additionally, the City of New Orleans will distribute 175 new automated external defibrillators throughout the city, including in public buildings such as the New Orleans libraries, police stations and City Hall. The devices can be used to determine if someone is undergoing cardiac arrest, and can be used by anyone trained to use an AED.
“We are proud to say New Orleans EMS has taken a large step towards ensuring that New Orleans is healthier, safer and stronger,” said Dr. Emily Nichols, Medical Director, New Orleans EMS.
The new medical devices were deployed Wednesday (Feb. 20) in all EMS and NOFD vehicles.
(c)2019 NOLA Media Group, New Orleans
https://www.facebook.com/neworleansEMS/photos/a.525491834259242/1390936064381477/?type=3&theater